February 27th 2024.
Air Canada has made a groundbreaking move in the aviation world by welcoming its first Black female pilot to its team. Zoey Williams is a shining example of diversity and is an inspiration to all who hear her story.
Growing up, Williams had always dreamed of following in her father's footsteps and becoming a pilot. Her father, Orett, was a captain for Air Canada and flew the impressive Boeing 777 aircraft. As a young girl, Williams was captivated by the magnitude of these planes and knew that she wanted to fly them one day. However, before she could conquer the skies in these larger planes, she had to overcome her fear of smaller ones.
With determination and perseverance, Williams earned her pilot's license at the young age of 16. But her journey didn't end there. She spent the next three years studying and obtaining an advanced diploma in aviation flight management, as well as a bachelor's degree in aeronautics and aviation management. By the time she turned 20, Williams had already become a certified flight instructor.
Her hard work and dedication paid off when she landed a job as a pilot for Sky Regional Airlines and Air Transat. But Williams didn't stop there. She continued to push herself and pursue her goal of becoming a Boeing 777 captain, just like her father. She even went on to earn her MBA in aviation and international business. Today, Williams proudly represents Air Canada in their promotional materials and is highly respected in the industry.
At just 27 years old, Williams has already achieved so much. She has been recognized as one of Elevate Aviation's 2023 Women of Inspire and was named one of the "Top 20 Under 40" by Wings Magazine. This is a remarkable accomplishment, considering the fact that Black pilots are still a minority in the aviation industry. In the United States, they only make up 3.4% of the profession, according to the Federal Aviation Association. In fact, Air Canada only employs 30 Black pilots, with only 7 of them being captains. However, Williams is living proof that the skies are opening up for everyone.
In her own words, Williams encourages others to never give up on their dreams. "If you have a burning desire to do something, don't bury it," she says. "Keep your focus, build your networks, share your goals, and show your passion in everything you do. That's how you can end up doing things you love day in and day out." And that's exactly what Williams has done.
As she continues to make her mark in the aviation world, Williams has her sights set on releasing her upcoming book, "Go Where You Belong." This book aims to inspire others to reach beyond what they could ever imagine and to follow their dreams, just like she did.
In a world where diversity and representation are crucial, Air Canada's decision to welcome Williams as their first Black female pilot is a step in the right direction. And with companies like Boeing launching scholarship programs to train pilots from underrepresented communities, the future is looking bright for aspiring pilots from all walks of life.
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